Digital | Funding and buy-in will aid progress

In the great tradition of tech solutions, the theme of the recent Museums Computer Group’s annual conference, which was held in London and online, was Turning It Off and On Again. 

Here are some key takeaways from the event:

• Since the pandemic, many of those working in museum tech teams are stressed and overworked.
• Attracting and retaining tech staff is harder than ever, particularly because of the poor pay across the sector.
• Few museums have succeeded in monetising their digital offer. With people cutting back on digital entertainment as a result of the cost of living crisis, generating significant income from online activities will continue to be a challenge.
• QR codes are back – museums of all sizes are using them across the UK.
• Museums need to work harder to develop effective digital strategies.
• It is vital that museums not only take measures to prevent cyberattacks but also have a plan to deal with the fallout if they are victims of one. Staff at Hackney Museum shared their experience of the devastating impact of the cyberattack that hit their London borough in December 2020.
• It is important to get the basics right when it comes to digital work – there are often lots of quick wins.
• When collecting digital material, museums must consider its preservation.
• There is lots of brilliant digital work going on in the sector, but it needs to be supported by stable funding and buy-in from museum leaders.